think we have all experienced this at least once:
Mom and Dad bring in 1 or more kids and when the time comes to hand their puppy over they start having a screaming session. Sometimes the child lays on the floor and kicks and screams, crying ensues.
You have a disaster on your hands.
Meet SWAP! He is a stuffed schnauzer a client gave me years ago for Christmas and he models new bandanas and bow ties and has been a star in several videos including the one on Loop Safety, so he has been quite the fixture in my shop for years.
He takes field trips with children quite often, and they all love him. This little girl was so excited she undid her own car seat in order to make it into the shop faster. Her dad says she looks forward to this every time their dog Sam has to come in. The first time she came in I did not think they were going to be able to leave Sam here because she was so upset. She picked Swap out of all the toys I had to take home (It was Christmas so there were a lot) and this has been her routine ever since.
In order to make it safe during the Coronavirus pandemic I spray him with Microban when I KNOW he has to leave the shop that day (I have several families that have made this a routine), or Lysol if it is an unexpected outing and when he returns he gets a washing machine bath just to be safe. I put him in a lingerie bag and never put him in the dryer and he has held up well.
This morning he got a new bowtie and his beard trimmed so he would be spiffy for the little girl who is looking forward to him going home with her. Her mom says he rides in her doll toys and takes a nap with her the days her puppy is with us. I love that we can make her that happy!
If you wanted to have several choices you can, but I find having just one or two makes life easier. I can just say "Hey, tell you what! You take my puppy home while your puppy is here ok?" Then make a big deal out of presenting him to the child and asking them can they take care of him for me while I take care of their baby. It has never once not worked.
I used to dread the days that kids were coming in because you never knew what would happen, but now it is better and I am prepared.
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